Gupakira
x
Uru rubuga rukoresha amakuru y’ingenzi. Ukwemera kwawe, dushiramwo amakuru ya Google Analytics ku biharuro.

Slzii.com

Slzii.com, accessible from slzii.com

What Are Cookies

As is common practice with almost all professional websites this site uses cookies, which are tiny files that are downloaded to your computer, to improve your experience. This page describes what information they gather, how we use it and why we sometimes need to store these cookies. We will also share how you can prevent these cookies from being stored however this may downgrade or 'break' certain elements of the sites functionality.

How We Use Cookies

We use cookies for a variety of reasons detailed below. Unfortunately in most cases there are no industry standard options for disabling cookies without completely disabling the functionality and features they add to this site. It is recommended that you leave on all cookies if you are not sure whether you need them or not in case they are used to provide a service that you use.

Disabling Cookies

You can prevent the setting of cookies by adjusting the settings on your browser (see your browser Help for how to do this). Be aware that disabling cookies will affect the functionality of this and many other websites that you visit. Disabling cookies will usually result in also disabling certain functionality and features of the this site. Therefore it is recommended that you do not disable cookies. This Cookies Policy was created with the help of the Cookies Policy Generator.

The Cookies We Set

  • Account related cookies

    If you create an account with us then we will use cookies for the management of the signup process and general administration. These cookies will usually be deleted when you log out however in some cases they may remain afterwards to remember your site preferences when logged out.

  • Login related cookies

    We use cookies when you are logged in so that we can remember this fact. This prevents you from having to log in every single time you visit a new page. These cookies are typically removed or cleared when you log out to ensure that you can only access restricted features and areas when logged in.

  • Site preferences cookies

    In order to provide you with a great experience on this site we provide the functionality to set your preferences for how this site runs when you use it. In order to remember your preferences we need to set cookies so that this information can be called whenever you interact with a page is affected by your preferences.

Third Party Cookies

In some special cases we also use cookies provided by trusted third parties. The following section details which third party cookies you might encounter through this site.

  • This site uses Google Analytics which is one of the most widespread and trusted analytics solution on the web for helping us to understand how you use the site and ways that we can improve your experience. These cookies may track things such as how long you spend on the site and the pages that you visit so we can continue to produce engaging content.

    For more information on Google Analytics cookies, see the official Google Analytics page.

  • Third party analytics are used to track and measure usage of this site so that we can continue to produce engaging content. These cookies may track things such as how long you spend on the site or pages you visit which helps us to understand how we can improve the site for you.

  • From time to time we test new features and make subtle changes to the way that the site is delivered. When we are still testing new features these cookies may be used to ensure that you receive a consistent experience whilst on the site whilst ensuring we understand which optimisations our users appreciate the most.

  • We also use social media buttons and/or plugins on this site that allow you to connect with your social network in various ways. For these to work the following social media sites including; {List the social networks whose features you have integrated with your site?:12}, will set cookies through our site which may be used to enhance your profile on their site or contribute to the data they hold for various purposes outlined in their respective privacy policies.

More Information

Hopefully that has clarified things for you and as was previously mentioned if there is something that you aren't sure whether you need or not it's usually safer to leave cookies enabled in case it does interact with one of the features you use on our site.

For more general information on cookies, please read the Cookies Policy article.

However if you are still looking for more information then you can contact us through one of our preferred contact methods:

  • By visiting this link: https://www.slzii.com/contact

Kurondera (Amakuru)

| Ububirigi | | Tayilande | | | Espanye | | Kolombiya | Venezuela | Arjantine | Uruguay | Shili | | | | | Boliviya | Kosta Rika | | | | | | | | | | | Kameruni | Repubulika ya Kongo | | Senegal | Bénin | | Leta Zunze Ubumwe z'Abarabu | | | | | Tuniziya | Sudani | Yemeni | Bahrain | | Brezile | | | | Ubushinwa | Tayiwani | | | | | | | | Bangladesh | Viyetinamu | Turukiya | | Brunei | Koreya y'Epfo | | | | | | | Ukraine | Ubuswise | Finlande | Luxembourg | Irlande | Estoniya | Rumaniya | Ubugiriki | Leta Zunze Ubumwe za Amerika | Kenya | Ubuyapani | Ubugiriki | Liechtenstein | Uganda | Suwede | Ubwongereza | Nijeri | Pakistani | Mongoliya | | Armeniya | | Ostraliya | Kanada | Danemarke | Aljeriya | Gana | Uburundi | | Kamboje | Sri Lanka | | Letoniya | Ubutaliyano | | Seychelles | Singapour | Slovakiya | Afrika y'epfo | | Zambiya | Amazinga ya Maurice | Tanzaniya | Amazinga ya Virginie yo mu Bwongereza | Togo | Azerbayijani | Moldaviya | Sloveniya | Belize | Kazakistani | | Serbiya | Uzbekistani | Uburusiya | Guinée | Jeworojiya | Bosiniya na Herzegovina | Yorodaniya | Koweit | Kosovo | | | Afuganistani | Tajikistani | | | Kongo-Kinshasa | Libani | Zimbabwe | Siriya | Mali | Ubuhindi | Guinée Equatoriale | Urwanda | Malawi | Birmaniya | Botswana | Makedoniya yo mu Buraruko | Uburundi | Jamayika | | Nouvelle-Calédonie | Sierra Leone | Namibiya | | Timor yo mu buseruko | | Hayiti | Uburundi | Oman | Bahamas | | Barbade | | Papouasie Nouvelle Guinée | Jersey | Fiji | San Marino | Polineziya y'Ubufaransa | Trinidad na Tobago | Suriname | Lesotho | Eritreya | Saint Lucia | | | Gambiya | Swazilande | Madagaskari | | Mauritaniya | Guyane | | Tchad | Tonga | Bermuda | | Samoa | | | | | | | | | | Sint Maarten | Sao Tome n'Igisagara | Leta Zunze Ubumwe za Amerika Ibirwa vya Virgin |
Mining audit exposes rot
Non-compliance to regulatory requirements and breaches of licence provisions are rampant in the mining sector, audit findings indicate. The Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority (MMRA) conducted a nationwide Mineral Licence Compliance Audit covering the period between 2020 and 2025. MMRA’s findings has since triggered a 30-day ultimatum for licence holders, who have to regularise their operations or face cancellation. In a written response, MMRA Director General Mphatso Chikoti said the audit revealed extensive breaches across exploration, medium and small-scale mining licences. “The audit has revealed widespread non-compliance across the sector, including non-payment of ground rent and mineral royalties, failure to submit statutory reports, and holding of inactive or dormant licences,” he said. The audit identified at least K413.6 million in unpaid ground rent, including K333.2 million owed by exploration licence holders and K80.4 million by medium-scale mining operators. Beyond the financial losses, compliance gaps were found across the sector, as over 150 exploration licences had overdue reports while 96 medium-scale operators failed to submit mandatory monthly returns. At the small-scale level, the authority found that all active small-scale, reconnaissance and non-exclusive prospecting licence holders had not submitted required reports while 1,044 operators had not paid mineral royalties, according to verification with the Malawi Revenue Authority. The audit also exposed a growing problem of inactive licence holding, where companies secure mineral rights but fail to develop them. Under the Mines and Minerals Act of 2023, large-scale mining firms are required to begin development within 18 months and production within five years while medium-scale operators must begin development within six months and production within 12 months. The audit comes at a time Malawi is seeking to attract investment into mining as a key driver of economic growth. In its June 2025 Global Economic Prospects report, the World Bank highlighted that global investment flows into extractive industries were increasingly influenced by governance, transparency and regulatory enforcement issues. Mining policy analyst Paul Mvula described MMRA’s move as a long overdue intervention that exposes long-standing weaknesses in the sector. “The findings highlight the systemic weaknesses we have been talking about over the years,” Mvula said. Economics Association of Malawi President Bertha Bangara Chikadza said governance gaps continued to cost Malawi some economic opportunities.
2026-04-16 12:20:29

Government lauds Mpatamanga hydropower project
By Daniel Zimba: The government has expressed satisfaction with progress of the Mpatamanga Hydropower Project. The project is premised on establishing a 358-megawatt (mw) Mpatamanga hydropower plant along the Shire River in Neno District. The $1.5 billion project is at the development stage, with a modern bridge already constructed across the river, among other things. Chief Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet Justin Saidi told The Daily Times after inspecting the project site yesterday that the project was part of efforts to expand the country’s electricity generation capacity to over 1,000 megawatts and increase the population accessing it from 12 percent to over 30 percent. “We are excited about the progress [made] and the government is ready to support this project so that, come 2030, we will have achieved what we wanted to achieve,” Saidi said. The project is being implemented under the Malawi Energy Compact and is key to addressing power generation and supply challenges besetting the country. Saidi also urged Electricity Generation Company (Egenco) and Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi officials to remain committed to supporting the materialisation of the government’s goals. On his part, Mpatamanga Hydro Power Limited General Manager Antoine Gerboud said feasibility studies were completed and that financial negotiations were nearing an end. He assured that, probably by the end of 2026 or early 2027, actual construction works of the power plant would start. Gerboud said, once completed, the project, which is expected to run for four to five years, would contribute about 2.9 percent annually to the national economy and create over 2,500 jobs, among other economic opportunities. On his part, Egenco Chief Executive Officer William Liabunya said the power plant had the potential to transform the country’s fortunes. “This will be the biggest power generation plant in the country and his [Saidi’s] visit has just added a voice to the project, [to the effect] that the government is committed to completing this project,” Liabunya said. Meanwhile, Egenco alone produces close to 400mw of electricity at its Nkula A and B, Kapichira I and II, Tedzani I, II, III, and Wovwe power generation plants.
2026-04-16 12:12:48

Bobe murder case set for July
By Daniel Zimba: The High Court sitting in Blantyre has announced that it will start hearing the murder case of Dr. Victoria Bobe from Tuesday, July 7, to Friday, July 10. The court has since directed concerned parties to submit their preliminary applications by Wednesday, April 27, 2026. High Court Judge Ruth Chinangwa also directed that responses to the applications be filed by Thursday, June 11, 2026. The court will, thereafter, hear the preliminary application on Tuesday, June 16, before issuing a ruling on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. She made these directions yesterday during a virtual hearing, which the media was not allowed to attend. Judiciary spokesperson Ruth Mputeni confirmed the development to The Daily Times after the hearing. “The court has directed that notices of appointment should be filed by Friday, April 17, 2026; the State should serve the defence with the case docket by Tuesday, April 21, 2026; and that the defence should peruse the docket by Tuesday, May 12, 2026,” Mputeni said. At least seven suspects were arrested in December 2025 and are remanded in police custody in connection with Bobe’s death. The Malawi Police Service identified the suspects as Raphael Msalamanyama Mano, 35, an ex-police and former intelligence officer from Gaza Province in Mozambique, and Issah Ali, 47, from Mangochi District. Police also arrested Santos Chamamba, 54, from Blantyre; Maxwell Eliya, 52, from Nsanje; Charles Chikafa, 62, from Zomba; and Peter Chimenya, 50, from Chiradzulu. Bobe, who until her death was working as consultant at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre and lecturer at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, was shot dead at her home in Chigumula, Blantyre City, in November last year.
2026-04-16 12:08:58

AfDB sees slower growth for Malawi
By Mcloyd Chilangiza: African Development Bank ( AfDB ) has projected that Malawi’s economic growth will remain modest over the next two years, falling below the government’s forecasts highlighted in the 2026-27 national budget. According to the bank’s 2026 Africa’s Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook report released last week, Malawi’s real gross domestic product growth is projected to average about 2.9 percent between 2026 and 2027. The projection is lower than the government’s forecast of 3.8 percent growth in 2026 and 4.9 percent in 2027. The report attributes the modest outlook to persistent macroeconomic pressures— including high inflation, fiscal imbalances and foreign exchange shortages— that continue to constrain private sector activity and investment. Similarly, the International Monetary Fund has projected Malawi’s economic growth at 2.7 percent, which also shows that the country’s recovery could remain slow in the short term. Slower economic growth means the economy is expanding at a limited pace, which can negatively affect the job creation agenda, slow business expansion and limit government revenue for public services and infrastructure development. However, government projections, contained in the 2026 Annual Economic Report, indicate that improved agricultural performance and increased investment in mining and energy could support stronger expansion. AfDB also projects Malawi’s inflation to average about 20 percent, slightly higher than the government’s forecast of 17.4 percent. “Malawi’s projected growth may remain below the continental average, suggesting the country could struggle to keep pace with [the] regional economic expansion [drive],” the report reads. The bank recommends that Malawi strengthen fiscal discipline and domestic revenue mobilisation, improve productivity through investment in infrastructure and technology and diversify the economy beyond agriculture and raw commodity exports to support long-term economic transformation. Economist Paul Kwengwere said the government’s growth expectations may be overly optimistic, given the country’s structural constraints. He said Malawi needed to restructure public spending towards investments that enhance productivity. Kwengwere said addressing structural challenges such as foreign exchange shortages and inefficient subsidies would be critical to achieving sustainable economic growth. “Our projections are highly optimistic. The government’s 3.8 percent target assumes a best-case scenario without considering crowding out of the private sector due to foreign exchange problems. “Dealing with foreign exchange challenges is critical. Eliminating the spread between the official and parallel markets is important because exporters continue to bypass formal channels, starving the economy of official foreign exchange reserves,” he said. In the 2026-27 fiscal year, the government allocated K7.5 trillion to recurrent expenditure and K3.397 trillion to development expenditure, representing 69.1 percent and 30.9 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, statistics from the National Statistical Office show that the country’s annual inflation rate eased to 24.1 percent in February 2026, the lowest level since July 2022, down from 24.9 percent in January, signaling a gradual easing in price pressures
2026-04-13 16:35:43

Old Mutual, GIZ partner to empower MSMEs
Old Mutual Blantyre Foundation Trust on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The partnership is aimed at strengthening collaboration in supporting Malawian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The partnership will focus on linking finance and innovation to enterprise growth, with particular attention to agro-processing firm Northeast Foods Limited. Old Mutual Blantyre Foundation Trust Chairperson Tawonga Manda said the organisation remained committed to empowering entrepreneurs across Malawi. “Old Mutual Foundation Trust is a charitable arm of Old Mutual Malawi. This is a milestone for us as we take a step towards contributing to national development [efforts] through this partnership,” Manda said. GIZ Country Director Inge Baumgarten said signing of the pact highlighted the long-standing relationship between Malawi and Germany. “Germany and Malawi share a strong and enduring partnership. Through this collaboration, we aim to strengthen MSMEs so that they can grow, create jobs and contribute meaningfully to the economy,” she said. One of the beneficiaries of the MoU, Northeast Foods Limited Chief Executive Officer Kate Chisambi said the partnership would help address key operational challenges. “The support and technical expertise from Old Mutual and GIZ will assist us in bridging gaps, particularly in acquiring essential machinery,” she said.
2026-04-13 16:26:44

Fury over 2nd Veep’s budget
By Isaac Salima: The government has allocated K4.15 billion to the office of Second Vice-President Enock Chihana in the 2026-27 financial year, a development some accountability experts have described as “a waste of resources”. From the amount, K4 billion is meant for Other Recurrent Transactions while K150 million is for personal emoluments. Spokesperson for the office Dave Gadama confirmed the development, saying the funds would enable the country’s third-in-command to fulfill some of his office’s duties. “Apart from assignments delegated to the Second Vice President by the Head of State from time to time, you are also aware that the Right Honourable [Chihana] is championing the Mombera University Project under the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, as delegated by the President [Peter Mutharika]. He will continue in coordinating [with] stakeholders until the project is ultimately lies with the President, who determines its mandate and level of engagement. Without a demonstrable mandate, measurable outputs and visible public value, a K4.15 billion allocation is difficult to justify. Public funds must follow function, performance and impact—not mere office. “An office benefits Malawians only if it delivers clear, tangible results tied to national priorities. Where the mandate is vague or underutilised, the benefit becomes nominal while the cost remains real. The standard must be uncompromising: clear responsibility, visible outcomes and full accountability. Anything less turns the office into a cost centre rather than a vehicle for public value,” Kondowe said. The establishment of the Office of the Second Vice-President attracted public debate, with some questioning its relevance. The Office of the Second Vice- President has no specific roles as it is a delegated one by the Head of State and Government. Until recently, the country has been having the State Vice- President only, a position now held by Mutharika’s running mate Ansah. The position of Second Vice-President was last held by Chihana’s father, Chakufwa, during the United Democratic Front era between 1994 and 2004. The Second Vice-President is entitled to salaries and benefits almost similar to those of the State Vice-President. Currently, the Constitution is silent on the benefits to the office. Among other things, the First Vice-President enjoys tax-free salary equal to two-thirds of the President’s salary, free house, free food, free water, free electricity, free guest houses in Blantyre and Mzuzu, free medical services and physician on call. The veep also has medical insurance for the spouse and children under the age of 18 years, three motorcars, motorcade escort by the Malawi Police Service, duty-free importation of up to two personal motor vehicles every five years, duty-free importation of other items for personal use. Recently, the country announced austerity measures aimed at controlling expenditure. Last week, Mutharika delegated Transport Minister Jappie Mhango during the burial of University of Livingstonia vice chancellor Timothy Nyasulu. Chihana was also in attendance at the event, a move that attracted debate on social media. Press Secretary Cathy Maulidi said the decision was part of efforts to implement austerity measures, adding that resources that the Second Vice-President could have used, if delegated, could be more than what the minister used.
2026-04-03 15:13:54

APM dares new intelligence chief
By Wezzie Gausi: President Peter Mutharika Thursday called for a stronger and more professional intelligence system, stressing that accurate information is critical in safeguarding Malawi’s economy and national interests. Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of Major General Blaise George Saenda as Director General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, the President said intelligence must support national development and not political agendas. “Today, intelligence has evolved into an indispensable tool for economic growth,” Mutharika said. He said NIS carried a critical mandate to ensure the safety of citizens and protect the country’s economy, noting that reliable intelligence was key in identifying threats early. “In the past, intelligence services were regrettably misused as instruments of political victimisation,” he said. Mutharika said the government expected NIS to detect and expose deceit, particularly from individuals who take advantage of the country’s resources under the guise of investment. “We recall instances when purported investors promised our nation an ‘early Christmas’, yet delivered nothing of substance,” he said. He added that it is the duty of the intelligence service to act early against such practices to protect national interests. The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that national security remains strong and that the intelligence service is fully supported to execute its mandate. “As we celebrate his appointment, I wish to reaffirm my administration’s full commitment to ensuring that our national security remains very tight,” he said. Mutharika described Saenda as a highly trained and disciplined security expert and urged him to carry out his duties with loyalty, integrity and dedication. He also called for close collaboration between the NIS and other law enforcement agencies to safeguard the country. “I am confident you will serve as Director General of the National Intelligence Service with honour and distinction,” he said. In his remarks, Saenda pledged to serve the nation diligently and uphold the trust placed in him.
2026-04-03 15:10:51

‘Forgive, forget’
Zimbabwe Premier League giants Caps United’s second assistant coach Joseph Kamwendo has called for the return of the players who were kicked out of the Malawi National Football Team in 2024 on disciplinary grounds. Madinga The players are defender Stanley Sanudi and attacking midfielder Chimwemwe Idana. Left winger Francisco Madinga has also been missing on the Flames call-up list on reasons that are yet to be known. In March last year, Football Association of Malawi (Fam) summoned Sanudi and Idana over alleged indiscipline after the Flames’ 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Senegal in Bamako, Mali. But despite the move, the duo has not been called for national duties since October 2024 after the Flames’ 4-0 defeat to Senegal. Sanudi and Idana were accused of breaking protocols by storming into the Lions of Teranga’s dressing room to ask for superstar Sadio Mane’s jersey. Kamwendo said Flames coach Kalisto Pasuwa should consider recalling them back into the team so that it benefits from their experience. Speaking from his base in the Zimbabwean capital Harare Thursday, Kamwendo said the Flames still need the three players’ services. The former Malawi captain said the Flames’ drop on the recent Fifa rankings and the poor performance at this year’s Mukuru 4 Nations tournament in Francistown, Botswana, is an indication of the team’s shortfalls. “The Flames performed poorly at the Four Nations tournament. Finishing at the bottom of the competition is very unfortunate and pathetic for our football. If the status quo remains, the team has a huge task to qualify for the 2027 Afcon finals. I think this is the right time for us to come together and swallow our pride. Let us recall some of the players that are still capable of helping us. Idana “I know Sanudi and Idana were suspended due to indiscipline but we cannot retire them at this stage. We still need them in the squad because of their experience. From what I have seen, there are some problems with player selection as well. Madinga is doing well in Zambia and he has been instrumental for the Flames when given a chance. But where is he now?” Kamwendo asked. The trio was part of the Flames team that finished in the round-of-16 at the 2021 Afcon finals in Cameroon. Fam Technical Sub-committee chairperson Christopher Kuyera said Pasuwa has the mandate of selecting players of his choice. “Look, we can impose players on him,” Kuyera said. Idana and Madinga compete for Zanaco and Kansanshi Dynamos in Zambia’s Super League, respectively, while Sanudi helped Mighty Wanderers to win the Super League title last season. Fifa released the latest men’s rankings on Wednesday which saw the Flames dropping from position 126 to 127. This came just two days after the Botswana tournament. During the tournament, Malawi 8-9 to Zambia on post-match penalties after a barren stalemate in regulation time before losing 0-1 to hosts Botswana.
2026-04-03 15:07:31

Rural workers’ struggle to access labour justice
KEY PLAYER—The Industrial Relations Court By Godfrey Kenneth Beni: A key component of equitable and effective employment systems is access to labour justice. However, rural workers in Malawi face significant difficulties when attempting to resolve workplace complaints. The Industrial Relations Court is only physically present in the cities of Zomba, Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu, despite being the most specialised forum for settling labour issues. This concentration creates a structural barrier that frequently makes justice unattainable in a country where the majority of the labour force lives and works in rural areas. Employment disputes are commonplace among many Malawians who are working in industries such as construction, agriculture and small businesses. Unfair termination, unpaid wages, hazardous working conditions and contract violations are common problems. However, expense and location frequently stand in the way of formal justice. To access the Industrial Relations Court, a worker in a rural area such as Chitipa or Nsanje could have to travel hundreds of kilometres. Many people cannot afford the fees associated with this trip. The costs include lodging, transportation and lost wages due to time away from work. As a result, many valid complaints go unreported or unsolved, which feeds the cycles of exploitation and silence. District labour offices are an important but frequently overlooked part of Malawi’s labor justice system in the face of these difficulties. These offices, which are located throughout the country, act as the first and most easily available point of contact for disgruntled employees. Their function is fundamental to guaranteeing that labour rights are respected at the local level; it is not just administrative. The district labour offices also serve as the everyday Malawian worker’s practical representation of labour justice in many ways. HOLDS KEY TO THE PUBLIC KITTY—Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha District labour offices carry out a number of crucial tasks that have a direct impact on justice access. First, they offer employers and employees advisory services. Employees can file complaints and get information about their rights and how to file a claim, frequently at no cost to them. In an environment where knowledge of labour rules is still low, particularly in rural populations, this consultative role is especially crucial. Second, and maybe most importantly, district labour offices help with conciliation and mediation. Conciliation provides a quicker, less combative way to settle conflicts than formal court proceedings, which can be drawn out and hostile. Labour officers serve as impartial mediators, attempting to reach a compromise between the two sides. This stage frequently resolves problems concerning unpaid pay or wrongful termination, preventing the need to escalate the matter to the Industrial Relations Court. In addition to saving time and money, this helps maintain professional connections, which, in rural areas, are frequently entwined with community dynamics. District labour offices are required to carry out workplace inspections to verify adherence to labour rules, in addition to resolving disputes. By spotting and resolving infractions before they become official disputes, these inspections serve a prophylactic function. Labour officers help create a more equal and controlled workplace by enforcing rules pertaining to pay, working conditions and contractual duties. District labour offices confront significant operational obstacles that limit their performance, despite their strategic relevance. Many of them are understaffed, having a limited number of labour officers in charge of sizable populations that are frequently spread out geographically. Regular inspections and complaint follow-up are hampered by resource limitations, especially the absence of dependable transportation. Additionally, due to low public knowledge, many employees are not aware of the services offered at the district level, which causes them to either put up with injustices or make unsuccessful attempts to directly access the court system. Another issue is perception. Employers may occasionally fail to acknowledge or respect district labour offices’ authority, especially in situations with lax enforcement. This significantly burdens an already centralised system by undermining the efficacy of conciliation results and even forcing cases to prematurely advance to the Industrial Relations Court. To overcome these obstacles, district-level labour administration must be strengthened in a purposeful and concerted manner. LINE MINISTER—Joel Chigona To guarantee that labour offices are properly staffed and equipped, more financial and human resources must be invested in them. Improving labour officials’ mobility would greatly increase their capacity to enforce compliance and reach remote workplaces. The necessity of ongoing public awareness initiatives to inform employees of their rights and the existence of regional dispute resolution procedures is equally crucial. Additionally, there is room for innovation in the future. The distance between rural laborers and formal justice systems may be closed by the implementation of digital platforms for filing complaints and holding preliminary hearings. Furthermore, the Industrial Relations Court’s circuit sessions in underprivileged areas could enhance the efforts of district labour offices and bring justice closer to the populace. In the end, access to labour justice in Malawi is a problem that goes beyond court locations. It illustrates the system’s overall efficacy, especially its capacity to assist individuals on the periphery. To make this system genuinely inclusive, accessible and responsive, district labour offices are essential. Malawi may get closer to guaranteeing that labour rights are a lived reality for every worker, wherever they may be, rather than being limited to legal texts or urban areas, by bolstering these local institutions.
2026-04-03 14:58:24

‘Welcome to Maula‘ actress pens book
By Jimmy Chazama: Lilongwe-based actress and storyteller Desiree Namachotsa, known for her roles in School Days and Welcome to Maula Prison films, has authored a book titled Parenting Disasters: Parenting In A Modern World Full Of Chaos. The book will be released on April 30 2026. Namachotsa, who received the Trevor Noah Foundation Grant in 2023, said her filmmaking and writing are connected, both rooted in storytelling and human behaviour. “Through film, I have seen how people’s actions, emotions, and relationships are shaped by their upbringing. That same curiosity is what led me to explore parenting more deeply,” she said. She described the book as a different form of storytelling, inviting readers to reflect internally rather than watch characters on a screen. “Films are powerful. They normalise behaviours, shape beliefs, and influence what we think is acceptable in families. That is why it is important for films to portray parenting in a responsible and realistic way,” she said. The book has 12 chapters looking at areas such as Parenting Without Parenting, The Cost of Parenting, Not Two Siblings Have the Same Parents, Girls, Boys, and the Myth of Sameness, Parenting by Observation, Gentle versus Good Parenting, Parenting without Perfection and Continuous Learning. Now in her final year pursuing a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology, Namachotsa believes the themes in the book are visual and emotional enough to be adapted into film or documentary, opening up conversations about family life.
2026-04-03 14:51:48

Nomads coach gets first team, academy insights at Partick Thistle
Mighty Wanderers FC head coach Bob Mpinganjira is gaining a rare dual perspective on Scottish football during his three-week coaching attachment at Partick Thistle. The Malawian coach has been embedded across both the first team setup and the club’s Under-19 programme—with U19 head coach Gary Irvine taking a direct mentoring role throughout the placement. Mpinganjira, who departed Blantyre’s Bakili Muluzi International Airport last Wednesday, has hit the ground running in Glasgow, taking in first team training sessions scheduled across the week alongside youth development sessions that are giving him an inside look at how Thistle develop their players from the ground up. The Nomads legend says he is taking every chance at the Scottish club to sharpen his coaching skills. “This is a rare opportunity to me. It is a one-time life chance to be here and learn. I really want to go back home a charged up coach with huge experience in all coaching aspects,” he said. Mpinganjira is under the direct guidance of Irvine, who has been specifically tasked with keeping a close eye on the Nomads coach and ensuring he gets the most out of every session. This has seen Mpinganjira benefiting from one-to-one insights into methodologies that shape one of Scotland’s most respected youth development structures. The arrangement means the Malawian is not merely observing from a distance—he is being actively guided through the thinking and decision-making behind what he sees on the training pitch. The week’s schedule has already given Mpinganjira plenty to absorb, with first team sessions taking place from 12.30pm and 9.30am on back-to-back days. This has offered him a window into the preparation routines, tactical organisation and intensity levels that Thistle’s senior coaching staff demand. The upcoming away trip to Ayr United will add a match day travel dimension to Mpinganjira’s experience, with sporting director Ian Baraclough on hand to oversee the arrangements. Equally valuable has been Mpinganjira’s immersion in the youth programme. The U19s—Irvine’s own group—are due to travel to Petershill for a fixture this evening, a game Mpinganjira is expected to attend as part of his ongoing attachment to that squad. Watching a competitive match through the lens of a coach who has explained his own preparation process in the build-up promises to be among the most instructive moments of the trip. Baraclough, who accompanied Mpinganjira to Thistle’s 3–1 victory over Ross County last Friday—the Wanderers coach’s first taste of Scottish football at close quarters, has been central to shaping the structure of the placement. Having Irvine formally integrated as a mentor reflects a deliberate effort to ensure Mpinganjira leaves with more than just observations; he leaves with relationships and transferable frameworks.
2026-04-03 14:48:42

Train passengers stranded
By Daniel Zimba & Blessings Makuwira: Central East Africa Railways (Cear)’s operations were distracted on Tuesday and Wednesday this week following a sit in of the company’s employees at its head offices in Limbe, Blantyre. This left Balaka-Nayuchi train passengers stranded at train stations along the route. When The Daily Times crew visited Cear’s head office in Limbe, it found some employees playing chess while others engaged in casual talk within the office premises, with no sign of operations underway. Cear communications specialist Wezzie Kalua confirmed the development, attributing it to employees’ concerns over irregularities reported in their medical schemes. “The employees presented grievances regarding the medical scheme that they have. That is why all of them [employees] from all departments are not working,” Kalua said. The Daily Times established that the medical scheme had irregularities that led to extra medical charges on beneficiaries [employees] when they access medical care. Kalua also confirmed that negotiations were underway by the time The Daily Times visited the scene. The negotiations were said to be among the company’s management, employees’ union leaders and medical insurance providers to address the concerns. “Yesterday, around 4pm, the management, union and the medical insurance providers met to discuss [the] possible way of addressing the issues and the discussions are still underway. So, we should be able to get the feedback from the meeting— probably by the end of business today [Thursday],” Kalua said. One of the passengers, who was spotted stranded at Balaka Train Station, Kelvin Ngala, expressed disappointment with the inconvenience caused by the sit-in. “Some of us have spent a night at this station waiting for the train and we are stuck here. We are heavily inconvenienced because if we knew about this in advance, we could have planned other means of transport,” Ngala said. Commenting on the matter, business analyst Marvin Banda stresses the need for stakeholders to consider a fair and urgent approach to addressing the concerns behind the sit-in. Banda said the sit-in had the potential to disrupt business and other economic activities, especially for players who rely on the train as a mode of transport due to its affordability. “The authorities should consider addressing [issues fuelling] the sit-in with urgency by providing long-lasting solutions to the concerns [raised] because rail services are critical, especially now when fuel costs for road transport have risen,” Banda said.
2026-04-03 14:43:18

Kenya Airways sees boost from Middle East conflict

Nairobi: Kenya's national carrier has seen passenger numbers jump by nearly a third and cargo up more than 250 percent during the Mideast war, its CEO said Tuesday.

The war between the United States and Iran, now in its fourth week, has sent shockwaves through global markets, with fuel prices soaring.

While major airlines have suspended flights to the Gulf, or cut back due to fuel shortages, Kenya has seen a boost as an alternative hub.

"We took advantage of the current situation and mainly rerouted a lot of customers from Europe," Kenya Airways CEO George Kamal told AFP.

"We see an increase from Europe, Asia and the US through Nairobi as a hub now," he added.

The airline said that despite the low season, its planes are now flying at an average of 99 percent full on some long routes, compared to 70 percent normally.

Meanwhile, Kenya Airways has seen its cargo shipments grow from roughly 70 tonnes per day to 180 tonnes since January as exporters have sought alternatives routes bypassing hubs in the Middle East.

The number of planes leaving to the Middle East have fallen by 20 to 30 percent, said Kamal, but it is using far bigger planes to compensate.

"The number of flights reduced...but the capacity increased. We used to fly to the Middle East 20 tonnes per flight. Now I'm flying 110 tonnes per flight," he said.

The national carrier, which has about 50 days of fuel remaining, said the country was "looking for alternative sources of jet fuel".

Kenya currently sources all its fuel from the Middle East through government-to-government deals with Gulf crude producers and refiners.


2026-03-24 17:34:33

Players’ body asks for inclusion
Football Players Association of Malawi (FPAM) has asked for inclusion into Football Association of Malawi’s (Fam) National Dispute Resolution Chamber (NDRC). FPAM says this will ensure effective delivery of justice whenever disputes arise in the game. Fam announced the establishment of the body on Wednesday during a ceremony held at its Mpira House in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre. Deputy Chief Justice Lovemore Chikopa chairs the body, with legal practitioner Innocentia Ottober as vice chairperson while Barbra Mchenga Tsiga, Chiza Nyirongo and Bernard Ndau are members. FPAM General Secretary Ernest Mangani expressed gratitude to Fam for setting up the body but asked that their member be co-opted into it. “We want to thank Fam for taking such a bold step to establish the local disputes body which will help in resolving domestic football disputes. But while this is a welcome development, we want to ask the leadership to consider co-opting our member into the board whenever disputes arise. This will take out any fears of bias,” Mangani said. In response, Fam legal committee chairperson Felistus Dossi said: “The chairperson already hinted that for us to get registered by Fifa, to be initiated soon, the process will include reshuffling the committee and the same will include adding representatives from players’ association and clubs. That is the requirement.” Chikopa said the committee would be independent and professional when carrying out its duties. He described establishment of the chamber as a significant milestone in enhancing governance, transparency and conflict resolution within Malawi’s football structures. “As chair, I will ensure the NDRC delivers impartial decisions, protecting the rights of all football stakeholders. This chamber will be a beacon of hope for fair play. The body will specifically deal with disputes between players and blubs besides handling disputes between clubs in terms of ownership of players, just to mention a few,” Chikopa said. The body will also oversee settlement of disputes under one umbrella-handling regulatory applications, players’ status issues and disputes involving agents and intermediaries in accordance with laws governing football. Fifa’s football tribunal comprises Disputes Resolution Chamber, Players’ Status Chamber and Agents Chamber.
2026-03-20 10:57:42

Under-17 squad set for camping
By Llywellenie Mpasa: Malawi Under-17 Girls’ National Football Team coach Chisomo Nkhoma has named a 36-member squad to begin preparations for two Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying matches against Burundi. Malawi host the first leg at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on April 11 with the return leg to be played a week later in Burundi. Nkhoma said she felt honoured to have been entrusted with the role of leading the team. “My deepest gratitude goes to the president of Football Association of Malawi and the entire association for this honour. I am truly grateful and I am taking this responsibility very seriously. As a coach, I want to deliver and put our nation on the world map. We have a good squad and the selection was based on fitness and tactical ability. “The squad is made up of some experienced players from the under-20 side which was with us at the Cosafa tournament. This qualifier is a different challenge which requires a different approach. I will do my best to deliver with support from my technical panel. It has been some time since we last in these qualifiers, so these matches are vital for the development of our team,” she said. The squad is expected to report for camp at Luwinga Technical Centre in Mzuzu on Sunday. The winner of the Malawi-Burundi tie will advance to the next round to face the winner between South Sudan and Ethiopia. The full list is as follows: Goalkeepers-Dorothy Manda, Rhoda Peter, Christina Gift and Watipaso Gwede. Defenders-Wongani Kapalamula, Mercy Gondwe, Khumbiso Guduwe, Alice Nyirongo, Joyce Makweya, Emily Samuel Gama, Thoko Enock, Chrissy Munthali, Deborah Jere, Tamandani Chawinga, Menneni Kapasule and Martha Mwakikunga. Midfielder-Faluna Umali, Talandira Kachala, Chisomo Mtelera, Rabbeccah Banda, Mercy Banda, Rejoice Silungwe, Flora Banda, Hamida Lifa, Eneles Fabiano, Alinafe Nyirenda, Cecilia Mzima, Ethel Tambala, Victoria Mkwala, Oreen Luhanga and Roseline Mulolo. Strikers-Tamandani Chilimba, Sifati Chitenje, Fatima Lali, Tryness Chawala and Elikana Munthali.
2026-03-20 10:52:29

China extends $2 million support to health sector
China has donated $2 million to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) to support Malawi’s health sector, targeting vulnerable groups including women and children. Chinese Ambassador to Malawi, Lu Xu, announced the donation during the Spring Festival Fair and the opening of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges held in Lilongwe. Ambassador Lu said the funds will be channelled through Unicef to leverage the organisation’s expertise in delivering health services, particularly in reducing maternal and child mortality rates. “We would like to show that China is a responsible member of the United Nations and we also want to utilise Unicef’s expertise to help vulnerable groups, including women and children,” she said. She added that the support is aimed at improving maternal health and addressing challenges affecting newborns and pregnant women in Malawi. The donation comes as part of broader Chinese support to Malawi, which has also included humanitarian assistance and food aid to address food insecurity. Speaking at the same event, Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Chaponda, described China as a key development partner, highlighting continued cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure and health. Chaponda said the growing partnership between Malawi and China reflects shared goals of improving livelihoods and promoting sustainable development. The event marked the Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, and symbolised deepening cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations. China has in recent years increased its support to Malawi through grants, emergency aid and development projects.
2026-03-20 10:48:44

Chinese-led scheme recruits youths
Two weeks ago, police in Lilongwe busted a cybercrime ring that has been defrauding foreigners.Details are emerging how the syndicate was operating.The Chinese-led group has been running its scheme in the neighbourhoods of the city for years, exploiting vulnerable Malawian youth and using them to defraud foreign victims.The network ran its operations from at least three houses in Lilongwe’s Areas 43, 47, and 51, where young Malawians were recruited under false promises of legitimate employment.Once inside the ring, recruits discovered they had become part of an elaborate international fraud scheme targeting mostly foreign men.Interviews with James Banda, who worked within the operation, suggest the syndicate recruited young Malawians by advertising what appeared to be legitimate customer service or online sales jobs for Chinese products.He told Malawi News that applicants were promised a salary of about K400,000 per month.However, after joining, he realized the job was something entirely different.Instead of sales work as advertised, employees were allegedly forced to impersonate women online and communicate with foreign men through messaging platforms such as Telegram.He said workers were paid only K3,500 per night while working 12-hour shifts from 6pm to 6am, far from the salary initially promised.During working hours, the workers were not allowed to use personal phones or freely communicate, a measure believed to have been designed to prevent them from exposing the operation.Another youth who has been working as a model said the recruitment process itself raised suspicion.Applicants were not asked about qualifications or work experience, suggesting the syndicate was primarily interested in individuals who could easily follow scripted online conversations.According to investigators and sources, the syndicate used several online fraud techniques.Young Malawian women were instructed to create fake identities and pose as attractive women online.In some cases, the recruits were reportedly forced to strip and take explicit photographs used to lure victims.One ‘model’ told Malawi News that their images were then used to build trust with targets abroad, and in turn, they were paid K100,000.Another worker said victims were later manipulated into sending money through various schemes.“One tactic involved romance scams, where victims were convinced to send ‘transport money’ or other financial assistance,” he said.Another part of the operation involved online investment and gaming scams.One source said victims were encouraged to participate in online games or investment platforms where they initially appeared to make profits.Once they invested larger amounts of money, their accounts were frozen and the funds disappeared.Investigators believe the syndicate targeted mainly American victims, exploiting the distance and anonymity of the internet to run the operation from Malawi while the financial losses occurred overseas.Malawi News visited the rented houses the syndicate was operating from. They had converted them into small cybercrime hubs equipped with computers and networking infrastructure.When police eventually raided the locations, they discovered a sophisticated setup.BENJAMIN—Investigations arestill underwayAccording to Central West Region Police spokesperson Foster Benjamin, detectives arrested two Chinese nationals and four Malawians suspected of running the syndicate.The suspects were identified as Leung Guoh, 37 and Lin Chao, 40; Pride Ntundu, 26; Hope Lipipa, 29; Hawa Chinula, 23 and Enosi Chisime, 25Police say officers recovered 32 built-in computers, 18 internet routers, one CCTV server, a printer, and 27 notebooks containing hacking procedures and Telegram accounts of potential victims.Investigators also rescued 18 young Malawians believed to have been trapped in the operation.“Investigations are still underway to uncover more about the syndicate,” Benjamin said.Authorities are now analyzing the seized digital devices to determine the full scale of the fraud network and identify possible victims across different countries.One former worker said he was eventually forced out of the operation after telling supervisors that he wanted to resign.The source claims he was thrown out of the premises around 1am on February 14, 2026.He later contacted a friend who alerted officers at the Malawi Police Service’s Lingadzi Police Station, who reportedly picked him up.The source said he had previously informed police about the operation, claiming officers had visited the location twice but made no arrests at the time.The Chinese operators allegedly used code names, making it difficult for workers to identify them.Malawi has experienced rapid growth in internet connectivity, particularly in urban areas, but cybersecurity enforcement capacity remains limited.At the same time, high youth unemployment creates a pool of vulnerable recruits who may accept suspicious jobs without fully understanding the risks.International cybercrime syndicates have increasingly been known to shift operations to countries with weaker digital enforcement systems, where residential houses can easily be converted into call centers or online scam hubs
2026-03-14 12:39:00

Former MBC DG, finance officer released on bail
By Daniel Zimba: The Senior Resident Magistrate Court sitting in Blantyre yesterday granted bail to former Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Director General George Kasakula and Finance Manager Jack Kamwachale.They are answering charges of abuse of office and mismanagement of funds.Senior Resident Magistrate Asunta Maxwell granted the bail, following a request by defence lawyer Bentry Nyondo.Maxwell then ordered the suspects to comply with the bail conditions, which included paying a cash bail bond of K350,000 and providing two non-cash sureties of K2 million each and that they should appear at the South West Police Regional offices every fortnight.The court’s decision was made despite objections from state lawyer, Josephine Gwaza.Gwaza said the state was ready to parade witnesses in the case but requested the court to grant them six weeks before bringing the witnesses, which the court accepted.However, Gwaza said: “Should the bail be granted to the accused, we ask the court to consider that the accused should surrender their travel documents, a bail bond of not less than K5 million each, and that they should commit to showing up at Chichiri Police Station.”In his argument during the hearing, defence lawyer Nyondo asked the court to disregard Gwaza’s request regarding bail conditions, describing it as an attempt to deny his clients access to bail, which he argued was their constitutional right.In an interview after the hearing, Nyondo expressed satisfaction with the court’s judgment, arguing that his clients were cooperative and had surrendered themselves to the fiscal police immediately after learning of their impending arrests; hence, they deserved bail.“The court has ordered that when the state is ready, they should file a notice of hearing, and we will be asking for disclosures from today or probably next week so that we also get prepared enough before trial actually commences,” Nyondo said.Among other crimes, the court heard that the two allegedly committed a conspiracy to defraud MBC, contrary to Section 323 of the Penal Code.The court statement indicated that between July and December 2025, the two approved and authorized the expenditure of about K1.8 billion from the corporation’s account, knowing that the payments were irregular and not for legitimate institutional purposes.They also allegedly abused their respective offices, contrary to Section 95(2) of the Penal Code, by approving and authorizing payments of allowances for themselves, amounting to $2,800 and $2,100 respectively for a delegation to Italy that was meant for technocrats in the engineering section.The two are also alleged to have approved and authorized payment of K8, 621,000 for the construction of a booth for broadcasting a program known as “Timvetse,” knowing that the project was not within the mandate of approved activities of the institution.However, Kasakula and Kamwachale denied all the allegations raised against them. The Fiscal Police in Blantyre arrested the two on Wednesday.Earlier, MBC’s Board of Directors fired Kasakula as Director General of the institution for “gross misconduct.”The board’s decision followed Kasakula’s appearance before its Human Resource and Administration Committee the previous week on a charge of politicizing the public broadcaster.Kasakula was suspended from the role of Director General of the state broadcaster in October 2025, soon after the change of government.He was appointed into the role in 2021.
2026-03-14 12:36:15

Doom, gloom
Sports associations should brace for tough times ahead as Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) has been told to plan for activities for the 2026-27 budget within K25.3 billion, Malawi News Sport can reveal.This means all 49 associations affiliated to the council could scale down their programmes for this year due to inadequate funding.According to the figure which Malawi News Sport has seen, the council’s ceiling has been increased to K25.3 billion from K14.5 billion in the 2025-26 budget.Despite the increase, some sports associations risk missing out on the annual grants.Out of the K25.3 billion, the council will get K9.3 billion for its operations and K10 billion for reconstruction of the BAT Ground in Blantyre.The Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has been allocated K3 billion whereas the Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) will get K2 billion.Other 47 sports associations have been assigned K1 billion for their activities this year.The 47 sports associations include Malawi Olympic Committee (Moc) which needs K1.6 billion for its crucial activities.The K1.6 billion is for three ‘must sports activities’ such as the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland. This means other sports associations face a bleak future.MNCS Board Chairperson Jim Kalua said they have asked for an extra K2.6 billion for other 47 sports associations.“We are lobbying for increased funding. We presented our programmes to Parliament on Tuesday, and we are happy that they pledged to lobby for increased funding,” Kalua said.This comes after the council appeared before the Parliamentary Cluster Committee on Social and Welfare Committee in Lilongwe on Tuesday.Kalua said other associations that failed to fulfil guidelines would find it tough to get annual grants.He, however, urged associations to find alternative ways of generating resources to supplement annual grants.“We urge all associations to run as business entities. We believe this is the only way they can generate extra resources for their respective activities,” he said.According to the budget document, out of K9.3 billion allocated to council, K5 billion is for administration whereas K4.3 million is for sport internal programmes which need K5.4 billion.This means council has a K1.1 billion shortfall for internal sport programmes.“Other sports associations have been allocated the sum of K1 billion but Moc alone needs K1.6 billion for three must do programmes. This means that other sport associations will receive nothing. Henceforth, there is a need for government to reconsider this budget line. The impact is to reduce the sporting activities,” the budget document reads.Fam has been allocated K3 billion for the Malawi National Football Teams, the Flames and Scorchers. This is against the association’s K3.8 million budget for national team activities.Flames will take part in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers in September and Cosafa Cup in June this year.Fam President Fleetwood Haiya, who had a meeting with Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Alfred Gangata on Wednesday, was optimistic that the government will fund the national teams.“During the meeting, we apprised the minister on the current status of our national teams, both senior and junior. We also reminded him of the need for government support in recruiting permanent assistant coaches for our senior national teams.“Additionally, we raised the matter of the outstanding Government arrears for the 2025/26 period,” Haiya wrote on his Facebook page.Last year, Fam and Nam each got K1.5 billion in annual grants.Malawi Schools Sports Association (Massa) President Blackson Malamula said the council should have priorities.“Money will never be enough but the council should prioritise sports activities that are focusing on development,” Malamula said.Massa is expected to host Confederation of School Sport Associations of Southern Africa (Cosasa) later this year.Basmal General Secretary Peter Gomani said lack of government support had resulted in stunted growth of other sporting disciplines.“There is a huge disparity there. Funding allocations often reflect priorities and focus. Therefore, that is where government focus is. They talk of fairness but this is huge pure hypocrisy. This is why we do not even have national teams because every effort to revive the national team has met with no funding from the council. For example, last time we wanted to take part in Zone 6 qualifiers in Zimbabwe, we failed to travel last minute because we were told there was no funding. It is frustrating and demotivating,” Gomani said.
2026-03-14 12:34:10

Discomfort over US agreement
TARGET AREA FOR US FUNDING—Maternal healthIt has been a month since the governments of Malawi and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on health cooperation.In January 2026, the US and Malawi signed a five-year, $936 million agreement to bolster health service delivery in Malawi.The deal includes $792 million to fight HIV/Aids, malaria, and infectious diseases, with Malawi committing to increase its annual health spending.The US government has signed several such agreement with a number of African countries.But there are also some that have refused to sign the deal.Today, the terms of the agreement between Malawi and the US remain undisclosed to the public—raising growing concerns among civil society organizations, health advocates, and governance experts.For decades, Malawi’s health sector has depended on donor funding and the recent agreement is certainly significant. But the government has not released the contents, conditions, or implementation framework of the agreement, a development that is now a cause of discomfort among some.Health rights advocates have told Malawi News that the continued silence from the authoritties risks fueling speculation about what exactly the deal entails and how it could influence national health policy.We wrote both Minister of Health Madalitso Baloyi and Secretary for Health Dan Namarika to answers to some stakeholders’ uneasiness at the unavailability of details. They did not provide an immediate responseHowever, the Malawi Health Equity Network (Mhen), a coaltion of organisation working in the sector of health in Malawi, said it is still waiting for clarification from the Ministry of Health regarding the agreement.Mhen Executive Director George Jobe said the coaltion issued a statement soon after learning that the agreement had been signed asking for the finer operational details of the agreement.Government has not provided information since, according to Jobe.He said civil society organizations remain in the dark about how the arrangement will be implemented and whether it carries any conditions that could affect the delivery of health services.Jobe noted that making the agreement public—or at least releasing an official summary explaining its scope, conditions, and implementation modalities—would help address questions being raised by stakeholders and the public.“Given the importance of donor-supported health programme in Malawi, such transparency is important to ensure that all stakeholders clearly understand how the support will align with national health priorities,” he said.Malawi’s health sector heavily depends on donor support, particularly for critical programs such as HIV and Aids, maternal health and disease control.Because of this reliance, experts say agreements involving international partners require clear communication to avoid misunderstandings about policy direction or conditionalities.They further argue that withholding the document undermines public oversight and raises governance concerns at a time when Malawi is under increasing pressure to manage donor partnerships transparently.Jobe acknowledged that external funding remains vital for sustaining healthcare services. But he stressed that openness about such agreements is essential, especially as other countries have recently faced controversy over similar cooperation deals with foreign governments.In its America First Global Health Strategy, the United States government has signed bilateral agreements with a number of countries including Botswana, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Liberia, Uganda, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Cameroon, Nigeria, Madagascar, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger and Congo.The deals have attracted controversy largely because of the reported inclusion of extensive data and pathogen-sharing clauses.Health leaders across the continent have warned that such provisions could “expose sensitive biological information without sufficient safeguards or reciprocal benefits,”, accoridinvg to a report on the Business Insider.“There is also concern about the broader shift away from traditional aid models. Critics argue that requiring significant domestic co-financing at a time of fiscal strain could force governments to reallocate funds from other essential services,” it says.According to the Business Insider report: “Washington maintains that the approach builds stronger, more self-sufficient health systems, but the debate is far from settled.”But there are also countries that have not taken the US offer.Zambia suspended a $1 billion agreement due to what it was are some contents in the deal that are contradictory to its national interests.Zimbabwe pulled out of the discussion over sovereignty concerns.
2026-03-07 11:27:49

Government slams engineers, political leaders for ‘dummy’ work
Minister of Local Government Ben Phiri Friday took a swipe at the country’s engineers and politicians over what he described as an appetite for bribes, which he said has resulted in them giving Malawians “dummies” instead of solid structures.Phiri was speaking in Lilongwe when engineers, led by the Malawi Engineering Institution, celebrated World Engineering Day under the theme ‘Smart engineering for a sustainable future through innovation and digitalisation’.According to Phiri, engineers need to conduct a self-audit of their contribution to the country.“We have roads that are being cut, and some of the engineers are in this house. Some of the contractors are in this house today.“Government has lost billions of kwacha, and I believe the theme today is about trying to change the same,” Phiri said.He observed that in the five months he has been in office, he has witnessed both successes and failures that engineers must answer for and reflect on.According to Phiri, whether the current crop of engineers is filling the shoes as expected of them, and whether engineering lecturers need to change the curriculum are questions that senior engineers must address.“When we see the levels of integrity that we are grappling with, and when we see politicians like myself receiving billions from the 20 percent mobilisation fees from you engineers, knowing very well that this is not profit but a mobilisation fee meant to help you mobilise for the betterment of the project you are doing...“...And you still go on to give it to us, giving us an appetite for even more money. I wonder whether that type of integrity is what we want to embed in the new engineers that the university is producing,” Phiri said.He said it is time for engineers to begin to stigmatise corruption.“It is only when you desist from corruption that I will not come and bribe you and demand a share.“I have contributed and you have contributed to the failures of engineering systems because you and I agreed to be corrupt and share money,” Phiri said.He said that when engineers and politicians are sharing taxpayers’ money, they need to think about ordinary people.“Forget about yourself and think about that lady in Nsanje, in Chiromo. When you are getting money from the mobilisation fee, think about that lady in Chitipa.“She should have received a clinic from the money you are sharing, yet she is dying on her way to seek medical care because an engineer decided otherwise,” Phiri said.He added that there are times when engineers come begging, “If I get this job, this is your cut.”“And you are smiling while doing that. We have given Malawians dummies instead of giving Malawians what they truly deserve,” Phiri said.President of the Malawi Engineering Institution, Ronald Gundamtengo, said World Engineering Day provides an opportunity for honest reflection.He said infrastructure failures are rarely caused by nature alone, noting that extreme weather often exposes weaknesses that already exist.Inadequate drainage design, poor material selection, compromised supervision and failure to maintain assets increase vulnerability.“Professional integrity therefore remains the foundation of engineering excellence.
2026-03-07 11:25:05

888 Bets Malawi ends Nomads kit deal
Betting company 888Bets Malawi will not renew its kit sponsorship with Super League champions Mighty Wanderers, Malawi News Sports has learntWanderers and 888Bets Malawi signed a K100 million kit sponsorship contract in January last year.In an interview Friday, Wanderers Chief Executive Officer Panganeni Ndovi said the company informed them that they will not renew the contract ahead of the 2026 football season.“The agreement between Mighty Wanderers and 888Bets has come to an end as it was a one-year agreement. Due to the recent changes in the tax system affecting betting companies, 888Bets indicated that they would not be renewing the agreement upon its expiry, as the new framework had affected their operations,” Ndovi said.The one-year deal between Wanderers and 888 Bets Malawi was one of the most lucrative kit sponsorship deals in domestic football.The 888Bets kit sponsorship covered all Wanderers’ men’s and women’s teams.Ndovi described the one-year partnership with 888Bets Malawi as a success.“As Mighty Wanderers FC, we remain very grateful for the partnership and support we received from 888Bets during the period of our collaboration. We truly appreciated the relationship and contribution they made to the club,” he said.Through the deal, 888Bets had branding rights on all Wanderers teams.888Bets Malawi Country Manager Clement Kwesi was not answering his mobile phones yesterday.The expiry of the deal with 888Bets means the Nomads might go into the new football season with Ekhaya Farms as only sponsors with branding rights in front of their uniforms.Wanderers regrouped Friday in preparation for the FDH Bank Premiership, formerly known as the TNM Super League.The Nomads won the league with 63 points-ending their eight-year drought.
2026-03-07 11:22:23

Reconstructing Cyclone Freddy damage: the case of community childcare centres
OLD—The project has transformed Namisangu CBCC from the damageBy Pemphero Malimba One morning in mid-March 2023, hundreds of under-five children, their parents, caregivers and local leaders woke up to the shocking state of Namisangu Community-Based Care Centre (CBCC) in Traditional Authority Liwonde in Machinga.The roof was blown off leaving the structure, which community members constructed a decade earlier, unsafe for learning for over 100 children who were accessing Early Childhood Development education (ECD) at the centre.“Following the damage, learning was halted because it was not ideal for the children. Parents were afraid to send their children to the centre,” Elina Winess, deputy head teacher at the CBCC, recalled.Even when some insisted on continuing with the teaching and learning process, the number of children attending lessons reduced to about 50.Namisangu CBCC chairperson Romas Malunga said the damage on the structure did not only affect the children but also expectant mothers.“The CBCC was also used for many years as a village clinic for expectant mothers.“When this happened, women were now travelling 12 kilometres to access vaccines and other medical services at the next nearest facility,” Malunga said.Statistics from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare indicate that Malawi has 13,920 CBCCs and 241 of these were damaged or rendered unsafe by the cyclone.The damage on the CBCCs left thousands under-five children with no or poor access to ECD, eventually affecting the country’s quest for provision of this level of education to all children as stipulated by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).SDG number four in particular highlights the need for countries to ensure that by 2030 all girls and boys should have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.For Namisangu, hope resurfaced for community members and children almost two years after the disaster when Oxfam in Malawi intervened through its Climate Just Communities project.Funded by Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI Global UK) and the Scottish Government, the project is being implemented in five districts of Salima, Zomba, Machinga, Phalombe and Karonga.It also has a nationwide advocacy covering seven thematic areas: disaster risk management, livelihood security, loss and damage, resilient schools, water, sanitation and hygiene, advocacy and gender equity and social inclusion.Valued at £1.6 million (about K3 billion), the project aims to strengthen community resilience to the material and social impacts of extreme weather events and environmental disasters such as floods, prolonged dry spells and cyclones.In Namisangu, Oxfam in partnership with Churches Action in Relief and Development (Card), are conducting various interventions under the project including rehabilitation of five CBCCs.For Namisangu CBCC, the two organizations provided cement, iron sheets, window frames and other items for its rehabilitation.The organizations also rehabilitated a borehole in the area which provides learners at Namisangu with clean water.THE DRILL—Caregivers with their learners at the CBCCAs a result, enrollment is surging again. There are now 78 learners.“We hope that more and more learners will be coming because we have a conducive learning environment now,” Winess said.The CBCC has four caregivers who provide lessons to the children. Despite their efforts to provide quality education at the centre, the caregiver face challenges at a personal level. They are not paid. They do work on voluntary basis. Sometimes, this lack of remuneration affects their motivation.In addition, they lack first aid kits for them to be able to respond to emergency cases affecting the children.According to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Malawi has 49,000 CBCC caregivers with majority of them working on voluntary basis; only 2,000 receive honoraria largely through partner-supported initiatives.But these CBCCs provide essential services not only to the children but also their parents, as testified by 46-year-old Laina Daiton, a parent to one of the learners at Namisangu.“After the damage, we were not happy. Now that the centre has reopened, we are able to do house chores and other economic activities while our children at the CBCC,” she said.“We have also noted that our children are behaving well when they get home. They get busy practicing poems and songs and reading and writing that they learn at school. My child has changed. He was misplacing things back home but once the CBCC rehabilitated him, he is now able to do things right,” Daiton said.As one way of sustaining the operations of the centre, community members have established a village savings and loans group.“We will be using the interests [generated through savings and loans] to support the CBCC. Whenever there is a need for maintenance works we will be using those funds,” Malunga said.Card project assistant Blessings Nkhwazi expressed delight to see the centre and other four others transformed in the area and preparing children to excel in upper levels of education.MOYO—Our efforts have focused on coordinationMinistry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare spokesperson Linda Moyo said the ministry focused on promoting coordination and providing policy guidance in the transformation of CBCCs hit by Tropical Cyclone Freddy across the country.“Our efforts have focused on coordination, policy guidance and technical oversight, working closely with district councils and partners to support renovation, re-registration and improved management of the affected CBCCs.“These efforts align with the National Early Childhood Development policy which promotes community ownership while leveraging partner support for infrastructure rehabilitation, caregiver training and service quality improvement,” Moyo said.She further said the ministry advocates for sustainable incentives for caregivers in form of learning materials, community food contributions and periodic material support “to ensure children have a safe, stimulating learning environment.
2026-03-07 11:19:11

A long road ahead
Malawi has long grappled with the challenge of scarce resources. Every kwacha counts, yet history has shown us that corruption has persistently drained the coffers of this nation.From ghost workers to inflated contracts, and from dubious procurements to unchecked travel allowances, the public purse has often been at the mercy of unscrupulous practices.However, there is a glimmer of hope. In recent weeks, several measures have been rolled out with a clear intention to save the resources we have and to restore some fiscal discipline.While some may view these steps as mere paperwork or symbolic gestures, they signal recognition by those at the helm that Malawi cannot continue down a path of uncontrolled expenditure and wastage.One of the immediate actions has been the reduction of both external and local travel by public officers.This may seem like a small thing, but consider the magnitude of savings when thousands of government officials, at all levels, cut down on flights, fuel allowances and accommodation costs.In a country where the budget is perpetually under strain, every kwacha saved can be redirected to pressing areas like health, education and infrastructure.Closely linked to this is the suspension of non-essential procurements. Offices across the civil service have been asked to put on hold purchases that are not immediately necessary for operations.This step, though unpopular with some suppliers and contractors, is aimed at ensuring that money is spent only where it is truly needed.By pausing unnecessary spending, the government can focus on priority items, especially those that impact service delivery directly.Equally significant, though contentious, is the moratorium on recruitment. On the surface, halting hiring saves money on salaries, allowances and associated benefits.Yet, this has its own consequences. For one, some departments are left understaffed, which can slow down service delivery and place additional burden on existing employees.Hospitals, schools and other critical institutions may find it difficult to function optimally without the right number of staff.Nevertheless, in the short term, this move is a reflection of fiscal prudence, signalling that every new recruit must be justified in terms of value to the public service.Perhaps the most robust measure introduced is the vetting of all procurements by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).This step is vital because many of Malawi’s financial scandals have historically originated in procurement processes; contracts awarded without proper tendering, inflated invoices, and ghost suppliers.With ACB scrutiny, there is at least a layer of oversight designed to prevent misuse before it occurs, rather than reacting after the money is gone.Taken together, these steps reflect a clear intent to clean up the fiscal spaceYet, we must be realistic. Cleaning the public purse is a battle that cannot be won overnight. Corruption in Malawi is systemic, embedded over decades and any meaningful reform will require persistence, vigilance, and, most importantly, adherence to the measures already announced.It is adherence, rather than the mere announcement of measures, that will determine success.Too often in Malawi, policies are introduced with fanfare only to fade away into ineffectiveness because they are not followed through.Ministries, departments and agencies must now internalise these rules, not as temporary inconveniences, but as essential frameworks for protecting public money.Interestingly, these principles are now being extended to the health sector, where corruption has direct consequences on lives.The ACB has recently urged hospitals to adopt basic transparency measures such as visible duty rosters, uniforms and name tags for staff.While these steps may appear minor, they are critical in curbing illicit practices like absenteeism, ghost staff claims and corruption.When patients know exactly who is on duty and when staff are identifiable, the room for abuse diminishes significantly.If all these measures are fully implemented, not just in government offices, but across institutions such as hospitals, there is reason to hope.The vision is not just to save money but to create a culture of professionalism, and efficiency.A country where resources are protected and public servants are held to high standards is a country more likely to deliver the services citizens deserve.Of course, cynics may argue that every new initiative faces the same fate as its predecessors: strong beginnings that gradually lose momentum.That is why sustained political will, continuous oversight and citizen engagement are indispensable.Malawi has seen too many good policies fail due to half-hearted implementation or active resistance from those who benefit from the status quo
2026-03-07 11:13:18

Sports Ministry gets K7.2 billion for projects
The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture has been allocated K7.2 billion for projects in the proposed 2026-27 national budget.This is contained in the national budget document which Malawi News Sport has seen.The two projects for FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers stadia have been allocated the lion’s share of K2.5 billion.This is against the background that the two facilities need over K10 billion to be completed.Last year, the cost for Soche Stadium meant for Wanderers was estimated at K5 billion.Initially, the stadium cost was at K3.6 billion whereas the cost of Bullets Stadium in Zingwangwa was estimated at K3.8 billion.The two projects started in 2019 but work stalled in 2020 due to lack of funds.However, works resumed at Wanderers Stadium which is considered to be at an advanced stage.In a related development, the Griffin Saenda Sports Complex, situated in Area 48 adjacent to Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, has been allocated K1.5 billion in the national budget.The facility which recently hosted the Africa Netball Cup, needs an extra K7 billion to be completed following the change in scope of work and design. Partial works resumed to allow it to host Africa’s netball safari.Initially, work stalled in 2022 immediately after hosting the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games.Similarly, construction works stalled at the Aquatic Sports Complex at Kamuzu Institute for Sports after hosting the games in 2022.However, there is no allocation of funds for the completion of the facility in the proposed national budget.Kamuzu Institute for Sports has been allocated K1 billion for reconstruction.Spokesperson for the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Macmillan Mwale was reluctant to comment on the proposed figures.Among other projects earmarked for this year include rehabilitation of Blantyre Cultural Centre, construction of Mzuzu Youth Centre and construction of Arts Development Centre.Blantyre Cultural Centre has been assigned K375 million whereas Arts Development Centre has been given K900 million. Mzuzu Youth Centre will get K1 billion.
2026-03-07 11:10:17

Queens’ free-fall continues
Malawi National Netball Team High-Performance Consultant Debbie Fuller has called for an improvement during international competitions to enable the Queens improve on World Rankings.Fuller was reacting to the team’s slump on the latest rankings to position nine from eight.The New Zealander has been given a year-long contract to help rebuild the Queens after a turbulent season.“The way we control the rankings is to improve performance in international games. What’s in our control is preparing the team the best we can and to grow the depth of players in Malawi who learn how to prepare to compete in international games.“Our opposition are all playing in professional competitions like SSN, the England comp and ANZ comp. While our players do not have easy access to those competitions it does not mean we cannot have the same training habits and standards,” Fuller said.SPEARHEADING REVIVAL—FullerThe former Silver Ferns assistant coach arrived in Malawi on February 22 after she was handed a year-long deal.However, the current rankings reflect on how challenging her exercise will be to get the team into the top seven.Currently, Australia remain the top ranked team followed by New Zealand in second and England third.South Africa are the top ranked African team on position five, one place behind Jamaica. Uganda lie sixth while Wales are seventh.Tonga Nation displaced the Queens on the eighth.Meanwhile, Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) General Secretary Yamikani Khungwa- Kauma said they were worried about the drop in rankings but pledged to rebuild the side.“The drop of the Malawi Queens to ninth position on the World Netball rankings is obviously a concern to us, but it is also a moment for reflection and continued focus on rebuilding.“World rankings are largely determined by results in international matches over a period of time. When a team loses ranking matches, especially against teams ranked below them, it affects their points and overall position. Recently, results such as defeats to teams like Zimbabwe Gems have had an impact on the Queens’ ranking position,” she said in direct reference to the team’s lackluster performance during the Africa Netball Cup which the country hosted in December last year.The Queens ended on position four on the continent.However, Khungwa- Kauma said the situation should be understood within the context that the team was going through a transition phase, where several young players were being integrated into the senior squad.
2026-03-07 11:07:08

Budget pegged at K10.978 trillion
PURSE KEEPER—Mwanamvekha arrives at Parliament to present the budgetBy Kingsley Jassi:A few minutes after 2 pm Friday, inside the chamber of Parliament in Lilongwe, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Joseph Mwanamvekha, rose to deliver what was essentially less a speech than a national appeal.Before him lay a stark proposition: that 21 million Malawians, many of them impoverished and weary from successive economic shocks, entrust him with K10.978 trillion of public resources to steer the country through the fiscal year stretching from April 1, 2026 to March 30, 2027.Across the nation, a hush must have settled in – at least among those who care about what a budget statement means to their lives.For such kind, in homes, trading centres and offices, they must have kept their eyes fixed on television screens and their ears tuned to radios.In his presentation, Mwanamvekha spoke with deliberate measure, almost methodically, presenting a budget crafted in the ghostly shadows of what he acknowledged to be tough economic times.On analysis, at its core, the fiscal plan rests on cautious optimism.Mwanamvekha said he expects the plan to deliver a 4.1 percent GDP growth rate, a modest but symbolically important signal of forward motion in an economy that has struggled to find firm footing for years.It is the arithmetic, however, that tells a more sobering story.With a 44.8 percent increase in revenue and grants, total financial resources are estimated at K8.12 trillion. Yet expenditure pressures push the deficit to K2.9 trillion, which is equivalent to 9 percent of the GDP.This is an improvement from the 11.9 percent deficit recorded in the 2025-26 budget, which suggests an attempt, however incremental, to rein in on domestic borrowing.Inflation is projected to close the year at 15 percent. The minister expects the policy rate to decline to 18 percent, easing the cost of borrowing and, in theory, stimulating productive activity.It is a delicate balancing act built on the following thinking: contain inflation without choking growth, tighten fiscal discipline without stifling recovery.He announced that domestic revenue is projected at K6.454 trillion, which is 20.5 percent of GDP. This represents an increase of 44.1 percent from the 2025-26 Mid- Year revised figure of K4.478 trillion.Expenditure patterns reveal the government’s priorities and constraints at the same time.Of the total outlay, K7.581 trillion is allocated to recurrent expenses and K3.397 trillion to development expenditure, representing 69.1 percent and 30.9 percent respectively. This is what it means in lay terms: nearly K7 out of every K10 will go toward keeping the machinery of the state running, leaving less than a third for transformative investment.Among the notable projects are several roads, houses for security officers, and the long awaited Mombera University.The reformed Constituency Development Fund (CDF) will be implemented at K5 billion per constituency, which is a nod to decentralization and grassroots impact, though its effectiveness will ultimately hinge on governance, a factor that has proven to be Malawi’s Achilles heel for as long as democracy has existed in this country.Then, the structural pressures are evident in the line items.Goods and services will consume K1.5 trillion.Subvented organisations will receive K867 billion.Salaries and wages account for K1.9 trillion.And most hauntingly, interest payments are estimated at K2.793 trillion, which is roughly 23 percent of the budget. That’s the story of heavy burden of debt servicing. It means nearly a quarter of public resources will go not to new schools, roads, or hospitals, but to settling past obligations.In what is a strategic pivot, K1.334 trillion, or 12.2 percent of the total budget, has been set aside for priority sectors grouped under Agriculture, Tourism, Mining and Manufacturing (ATMM), a strategic direction of the previous regime.Here, with funds earmarked for industrial parks, tourism initiatives, irrigation schemes and mining projects, this allocation signals an ambition toward industrialization.CAMARADERIE—Mwanamvekha and Leader of Opposition Simplex Chithyola share a light momentIt’s a clear expression of state-led industrialization attempts, a desire to shift Malawi from consumption to production, from importing to exporting.Yet, sectoral allocations reveal traditional priorities holding firm.Education leads with K1.23 trillion, health gets K1 trillion. Agriculture receives K931 billion, transport and infrastructure K664.4 billion, energy and mining K352 billion, and tourism and manufacturing K51.2 billion.The hierarchy reflects both developmental necessity and political reality: human capital and food security remain foundational concerns.On the revenue side, the government has introduced targeted tax measures. These include import duty on luxury goods and products that are locally produced, higher carbon tax on foreign registered vehicles, and import duty on some hybrid vehicles.At the same time, Mwanamvekha has eased capital gains tax by introducing a 2 percent withholding tax on gross profit.A 15 percent withholding tax on rental fees for residential houses aims to ease administrative complexities, while gains from bets will attract a 10 percent withholding tax.The budget is framed under the theme: “Driving economic recovery and sustainable growth through impactful reforms and fiscal consolidation.”Such a mouthful theme as if to reflect the ambitious formulation, a suggestion of both urgency and restraint, a point where reform is paired with consolidation, growth tempered by discipline.Whether the numbers will bend to the rhetoric, that is the question.But what is clear is that the government is attempting to navigate a narrow, somewhat slippery path: restore macroeconomic stability, stimulate growth, and manage mounting fiscal pressures – all while asking a fragile nation for patience and trust.Such a tough call.
2026-02-28 09:10:06

Economists groups laud budget on borrowing restraint, growth
The Economics Association of Malawi (Ecama), the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi (Icam), and the Bankers Association of Malawi (Bam) yesterday gave positive ratings to the K10.987 trillion national budget delivered by Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha.Among other highlights, Mwanamvekha said real GDP growth is projected at 3.8 percent in 2026 and is expected to further strengthen to 4.9 percent in 2027.“This growth will be supported by strategic investments in key productive sectors of Agriculture, Tourism, Mining, Manufacturing, and Small and Medium Enterprises. Special focus will be put on increased production and value addition, export diversification and import substitution,” he said.Mwanamvekha said the budget is premised on macroeconomic assumptions that include end-period inflation estimated at 15 percent, nominal GDP of K31.5 trillion and a policy rate of 18 percent.In her immediate reaction to the budget statement, Ecama President Bertha Bangala Chikadza said the budget offers hope.Among other observations, Chikadza said the minister has demonstrated the government’s commitment to reducing inflation and interest rates, while also growing the economy.Madinga On his part, Bam president Phillip Madinga said he is impressed with the government’s intention to reduce inflation to around 15 percent and interest rates to approximately 18 percent.Madinga said this, coupled with a slowdown in government borrowing, could help make affordable financing available to productive sectors of the economy.Icam president Daniel Jere said the budget contains several positive elements.He noted that it is encouraging that over 30 percent of the budget has been allocated to development expenditure.Jere also hailed the K5 billion Constituency Development Fund, saying it will help spur development in rural areas.However, he was quick to call for strong governance structures to ensure the funds are not abused.On taxation, Jere said Icam is not fully satisfied, as most of the recommendations they submitted during the pre-budget consultations were not incorporated.“But we understand because as things stand at the moment, government needs money to meet its budgetary needs.He commended the government for removing capital gains tax on shares for companies listed on the Malawi Stock Exchange. The tax has been replaced with a 2 percent final withholding tax.He expressed hope that authorities will continue engaging Icam on ways to improve the tax environment going forward.He commended the government for removing capital gains tax on shares for companies listed on the Malawi Stock Exchange. The tax has been replaced with a 2 percent final withholding tax.He expressed hope that authorities will continue engaging Icam on ways to improve the tax environment going forward.
2026-02-28 09:04:51

Clubs differ on football calendar kick off
The 2026 football season kick off date has drawn mixed reactions from the football fraternity as some players might suffer from burnout due to inadequate rest.This comes after the Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Friday announced that the 2026 football season will kick off on April 18 with a charity shield match between Super League Champions Mighty Wanderers and Castel Challenge Cup champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at a venue yet to be announced.Fam also announced that the FDH Bank Premiership, formerly known as TNM Super League, would kick off on April 25, 2026 and conclude on March 21, 2027.The announcement came a day before the conclusion of the 2025 football season.This means Bullets and Goshen City Dynamos that reached the Castel Challenge Cup final will have an off-season of less than a month.In an interview yesterday, Mighty Wanderers Chief Executive Officer Panganeni Ndovi said players will not have ample time to rest.“The teams have played football for one year and the players did not have enough time. We need to consider the health of the players,” Ndovi said.Wanderers are three weeks into the off-season having reached the Castel Challenge Cup quarterfinals in which they were knocked out by Mzuzu City Hammers.On his part, Bullets Chief Executive Officer Albert Chigoga asked for more time to comment on the matter.“Allow us to reflect on this decision before reacting to it. The decision has technical significance,” Chigoga said.Bullets and Dedza have just started their off-season having met in the Castel Challenge Cup final last week.Dedza Dynamos General Secretary Kondwani Wiseman Banda said players needed ample time to recharge.“It is not good for the players. We need to give them enough time to rest,” he said.Karonga United General Secretary Ramsey Simwaka said they were happy with the kick off date of the new season.“We need to change slowly. We cannot afford to keep the players in the off-season for four months. We will start planning for the kick off of the season,” he said.In a statement yesterday, Fam said other competitions will kick off in accordance with the football calendar. Fam is yet to release the full football calendar.Last season, the football season started on March 31 with a charity shield between eventual winners Silver Strikers and Wanderers at Bingu National Stadium.Then, the league kicked off on April 5 2025 before the start of the Airtel Top 8 on April 12 2025
2026-02-28 08:59:43

Mzimba’s gold rush creates buzzing commercial hub while stampeding on farmland, environment
CLAY WATERS—Lupachi River which the mining site is locatedBy Joel Phiri: At Kamchocho Village in Traditional Authority Mabilabo in Mzimba District, the once fertile landscape along the Lupachi River has been transformed into a chaotic gold rush site.Deep pits scar the earth, trees lie felled in all directions, and makeshift shelters stretch as far as the eye can see – about 2-and-half-kilometre stretch of land is under siege from illegal gold diggers.Standing with his arms akimbo, Mzimba’s Principal Environmental Officer, James Pelani, surveys the damage with visible concern.“Gold brings wealth, but its side effects include environmental degradation, as we see here,” Pelani says, shaking his head while watching scores of both energetic men an d women digging for gold deposits in the muddy waters.More than 4,000 people are estimated to have descended on Kanchocho village that sits along Lupachi River since gold was discovered in January this year.By mid-February when we visited the site, the area resembled a refugee settlement.Temporary grass-thatched structures and plastic-covered shacks serve as homes, toilets, restaurants, and beer halls. The quiet riverside community has turned into a bustling, unregulated mining settlement almost overnight.The lure is powerful. A single gram of gold is fetching up to K500,000, a fortune in a district where many struggle to make ends meet.“It’s a lucrative business,” says Thomson Banda, who has emerged as one of the vocal miners at the site and spokesperson for the gold diggers.SEEING IS BELIEVING—Police and other authorities watch the mining activity“We are poor Malawians trying to earn a living through this business. We have people here from all over Malawi here.”Indeed, miners have flocked to Kamchocho from various districts, driven by unemployment and poverty. Young men dig tirelessly with picks and shovels, while others sieve soil in the river in search of glittering specks. Some entrepreneurs have hired teams of labourers, paying them about K20,000 per day per person to dig on their behalf.Life at the gold site, however, is far from easy. The cost of living has skyrocketed.“Life is expensive here because everyone is making money,” says one miner. “If you buy nsima at K5,000 at Jenda Trading Centre or at Mzimba Boma, here it is K10,000 per dish,” says Nixon Black from Blantyre but has come here to dig gold.Traders from Jenda Trading Centre and surrounding areas have seized the opportunity, setting up grocery stands, restaurants, and bars. Business is booming. Every day, sacks of maize flour, soft drinks, beer, and other essentials are ferried into the settlement to meet soaring demand.Yet beneath the buzz of commerce lies a troubling reality: the mining activities are illegal.Joseph Chirwa, Regional Mining Engineer for the north in the Department of Mines, is unequivocal.“Nobody has been licensed to mine gold here,” he says. “All the people digging at this site are illegal miners,” says Chirwa.“We need to formalize this. Let these people obtain licences. There are licenses for Small Scale Miners,” says Chirwa.Without licences, there is no regulation, no environmental safeguards, and no structured oversight.Miners dig randomly, leaving behind dangerous open pits. Along the Lupachi River, soil is being heavily disturbed as prospectors search for deposits, increasing the risk of siltation and water pollution.Pelani says the environmental consequences could be long-lasting.“Land is being degraded. Trees are being cut down indiscriminately. Gold mining along the river is leading to serious environmental damage. This worries us as a council,” he explains.The destruction is visible. What was once arable land suitable for agriculture is now dotted with craters and mounds of displaced soil. Farmers who relied on the land for maize and other crops face uncertainty about whether it can ever be restored.SITE SEEING—Mitai arriving at the mining sitePolice have also taken note of the unfolding situation. Commissioner of Police for the Northern Region, Glinton Mitai, acknowledges the scale of the problem.“Land degradation here is acute,” says Mitai. “That is why we came here to establish the truth and assess the situation.”Authorities now face a delicate balancing act. On one hand, thousands of people are earning an income in a struggling economy. On the other, the environmental cost is mounting, and the operations are illegal.There are also concerns about safety and social order. With thousands of people living in cramped, makeshift shelters without proper sanitation, the risk of disease outbreaks looms large. The absence of regulation has created fertile ground for exploitation, disputes over mining spots, and potential criminal activity.Reports indicate that buyers from various parts of the country—and even beyond Malawi’s borders— some from Ruanda, Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique are said to be frequenting the site to purchase gold. Some Malawians have carved out a niche as middlemen, buying gold from miners and reselling it at a profit. The flow of cash is constant, but so is the erosion of the land.For now, the gold rush continues unabated. The sound of shovels striking the earth echoes from dawn to dusk. Each miner hopes to strike it rich, even as the landscape bears the brunt of their ambition.As Pelani takes one last look at the scarred terrain, his concern is evident. The promise of quick wealth has drawn thousands to Kamchocho, but the environmental price may outlast the glitter of gold.Whether authorities will regularize the operations, shut them down, or find a middle ground remains to be seen.What is clear is that along the banks of the Lupachi River, the scramble for gold has already rewritten the story of Kamchocho Village— turning farmland into a frontier of fortune and environmental uncertainty.— Mana
2026-02-28 08:49:51

Why our economy suffers
There have been several troubling revelations showing how badly our economy has been hit over the past few years.The mega farms debacle, together with National Economic Empowerment Fund (Neef) loans ending up in the wrong hands, paints a worrying picture of mismanagement and misuse of public resources.It is therefore not surprising that the parallel forex market has continued to record high exchange rates, an issue I will explain shortly.Funds meant to support food security and empower ordinary Malawians instead flowed into the hands of a few, often politically connected individuals.Money that should have promoted productivity and growth was treated as easy cash and spent with little thought for the long-term impact.Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha now faces the difficult task of restoring economic stability and rebuilding public trust.By ordering audits of the mega farms programme and Neef loans, he has taken steps to address weaknesses in the system and recover misused public funds.Early signs show that corrective measures are under way, but the challenge remains large.The mega farms initiative was presented as a way to improve food security and promote commercial agriculture.In reality, it was taken over by political loyalists and elites, many of whom lacked the knowledge or experience needed for large-scale farming.Loans meant for productive agricultural projects were given to individuals who were not prepared to manage them properly.The outcome was predictable. Funds were spent on personal consumption and luxury items instead of productive investment.Only a small number of beneficiaries have repaid part of their loans. Most remain in default, leaving billions of kwacha unaccounted for.This misuse of public resources has wider consequences. Large sums of money were released into the economy without a matching increase in production.Money circulated without enough goods and services being produced.Such excess liquidity fuels inflation. One clear result has been the parallel forex market. Individuals with surplus funds, free from normal commercial discipline, have been able to buy forex aggressively.This has pushed up exchange rates and encouraged speculation. Money meant to grow crops instead supported financial manoeuvring, adding to the high cost of forex that ordinary citizens pay through rising prices.There are other reasons for high forex rates on the parallel market, but it is clear that excess liquidity has played a role.When public funds are given out on the basis of political loyalty rather than ability, development programmes lose their purpose.Poorly managed credit leads to wider economic problems, including price instability.The mega farms and Neef crises show how political capture, weak oversight and careless lending can destabilise key parts of the economy.Mwanamvekha’s audits and more careful fiscal approach are therefore important, not only for recovering unpaid loans but also for restoring confidence in public financial management.Enforcing repayment, strengthening oversight and holding those responsible to account are necessary steps towards stability.These episodes should serve as lessons. They show how political influence and weak governance can damage even well-meaning programmes.Money placed in unproductive hands does not create growth. Instead, it distorts markets and weakens confidence in institutions.Malawi’s path forward requires discipline and a strong commitment to ensuring that public resources are used productively.Equally important is the government’s decision to limit borrowing from local commercial banks.For many years, heavy domestic borrowing crowded out the private sector because banks preferred lending to government instead of businesses and individuals.Now, with fewer Treasury instruments taking up bank funds, financial institutions must lend more to the private sector and households.This change is positive for the economy. When banks lend to entrepreneurs, farmers, manufacturers and small businesses, the money supports real economic activity.It helps create jobs, increase production and expand the tax base. Private-sector lending encourages innovation and competition, unlike excessive government borrowing which often pays for routine expenses.Limiting domestic borrowing also promotes fiscal discipline. It reduces the risk of building up unsustainable debt and helps control inflation.By stepping back from heavy borrowing, government allows banks to support productive sectors of the economy while keeping public finances under control.
2026-02-28 08:44:07

Attaching NRB services to Immigration Department could curb passport fraud
For the past few years, cases of passport fraud have been rampant in Malawi. A number of foreign nationals have been intercepted at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services trying to acquire the Malawi passport fraudulently.The Malawi passport— ranked 8th on the list of most influential and powerful passports in Africa by London-based global immigration consultancy firm Henley & Partners firm—is much sought after by foreign nationals because it offers relatively strong travel freedom compared to other African nations, providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 70 countries, including in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.With this in mind, the increasing cases of passport fraud should be a source of concern to the country. Passport fraud erodes national security by facilitating serious transnational crimes such as human and drug trafficking, human smuggling and financial crimes such as bank fraud and identity theft.Additionally, a country known for having insecure or easily forged passports suffers reputation damage, leading to a loss of international trust and potential difficulties in securing international cooperation and support.In Malawi, a passport is issued by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services (DICS) with the National Registration Bureau (NRB) providing evidence of Malawi citizenship through national identity cards. However, the relationship between the two institutions, where one is a civilian institution and the other a security institution, is what has created a security loophole through which fraudsters are using to get the Malawi passport. These fraudsters know that once they manage to get the national identity card, then chances are high that they can easily get the Malawi passport as well.Just recently, a Burundi national was convicted by the Lilongwe Magistrate Court for furnishing false information to the National Registration Bureau, contrary to Section 43(a) of the NRB Act, and making a false declaration for a passport, contrary to Section 327 of the Penal Code. In 2019, a Nigeria national was reportedly intercepted at Berlin International Airport in Germany as he tried to enter that country using a Malawi passport. All this is an indication that it has been easy for fraudsters to acquire the Malawi passport due to a weak screening system at NRB.NRB was created in 2017 to, among other things, provide national identity cards to bonafide Malawians as evidence of their citizenship. The bureau proves Malawi citizenship through documentation, witness testimony, parental identification, biometric capture and traditional leaders. However, the bureau arguably lacks the necessary skill to detect false information because documents can be doctored, parents and witnesses can be created and traditional leaders can easily be corrupted to provide false information to help someone get the national identity card. That is why the majority of foreigners who acquired the Malawi national identity card fraudulently have ended up being intercepted at Immigration as they tried to apply for the Malawi passport.This is not to say the creation of NRB was a bad decision altogether but measures could have been made to ensure that its officers are well trained to prevent fraudsters from accessing the national identity card. That is why placing the issuance of national identity cards into the hands of a security institution such as the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services could have made much more sense because the department already offers citizenship services to foreigners wishing to acquire Malawi citizenship and Malawians wishing to renounce their citizenship for a different nationality.What the government ought to have done was simply amend the Citizenship Act to give the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services the mandate to issue national identity cards as well, instead of creating a new body, to ensure that the issuance of both the national identity cards and passports is done by one security institution, as is the case with other African countries such as Zambia, Namibia, South Sudan and Gambia, just to mention but a few.Already, the department has district immigration offices and plans to open more offices, alongside the Mlambe One-Stop Centre, where such services could be provided from.In conclusion, a secure passport application process is key to preventing identity theft, fraudulent travel and document forgery by ensuring that personal, biometric data are accurately verified and protected. All this cannot happen if the national identity card acquisition process is too vulnerable to fraudsters.
2026-02-11 11:19:28

0.090726137161255


Amakuru
Amakuru
Malawi
Amakuru mashasha be n'ivyiyumviro nyamukuru
Malawi
Amakuru